DUANE SHERRILLEditor

President Joe Biden dropped his bid for reelection as President of the United States Sunday, informing America about his leaving the race before endorsing his second-in-command, Kamala Harris as his heir-apparent for the Democratic nomination.

“It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President,” Biden wrote in a post on his social media pages. “And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term.”

Biden said he would delve deeper into his leaving the race when he speaks to the American people this week.

“I will speak to the Nation later this week in more detail about my decision,” wrote Biden, whose bombshell decision came after an increase in recent days in the number of congressional Democrats publicly calling for him to step aside for another nominee. The number had reached 40 by the time of his announcement.

Pressure began to mount after Biden’s performance in his head-to-head debate with Republican nominee, former President Donald Trump. Critics questioned his mental ability to serve another term of office and Democrats questioned if he would be able to beat Trump in November.

Harris thanked Biden for the endorsement and began stumping immediately in preparation for the coming Democratic National Convention (DNC). She will inherit the Biden war chest as she moves forward with her campaign. While Harris received the endorsement, the DNC will have an open floor, meaning multiple nominations could be made should Harris not solidify complete confidence of her party.

The nominee will face Trump along with his newly minted vice presidential running mate, JD Vance.

Locally, several Tennessee lawmakers weighed in on Biden’s departure from the race.

“It is no secret the President Biden’s health has been in decline for quite some time,” said U.S. Representative Scott DesJarlais. “I am glad to see that he has made the best choice for himself, his family and for the country.”

U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn echoed the theme of Biden’s health being an issue, noting the president should go ahead and step down now.

“Finally, Joe Biden has realized what the rest of the American people and even his own party already knew—he is not only the wrong leader for America, but is wholly incapable of doing the job of President of the United States. But he didn’t go far enough. If Joe is too weak to stay in the race for the presidency, he should resign as our Commander-in-Chief immediately,” said Sen. Blackburn. “Don’t be fooled: the Democrat Party is no better off today than they were yesterday. It doesn’t matter who is the new face of the ticket in November; it will still be the same old Biden-Harris policies that have made the lives of hardworking Americans more difficult. We cannot afford another four years of economic instability, chaos abroad, and crisis after crisis in our communities. That is why we must elect President Donald J. Trump and JD Vance to reverse these terrible policies and restore American prosperity.”

The Tennessee Democratic Party Chair Hendrell Remus also released statement saying he was both sadden but proud of having supported Biden in 2020 and said the party will “carry out the mission and finish the job of building back better.”

“President Biden delivered for the American people on election night in 2020 and every day during his term in office. Our nation is better today because President Biden served,” he said. “The next Democratic President will inherit a historic record of accomplishments to build on. Our party must do everything in its power to ensure that we protect President Biden’s legacy while fighting to make the lives of ordinary people better. At this critical moment with so much on the line, we must unite as a party and deliver for the American people. The path ahead is clear. We have one objective and that is to make sure that Donald Trump does not return to the White House.”